Indicating device fob



Dec. 11, 1928. 1,694,908

J. w. ANDERSON INDICAT'ING DEVICE FOR COOLING SYSTEMS Filed April 2 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I 4 /5 A v m. 1 /pk Dec. 11, 1928.

J. W. ANDERSON innrcume DEVICE FOR COOLING SYSTEMS Filed April 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented Dec. 11, 1928..

UNITED STATES JOHN W. ANDERSON, OF GARY, INDIANA.

INDIGATING nnvrcn non ooonme SYSTEMS.

Application filed April 25, 1927.

My invention relates to indicating devices and particularly to indicating devices of the type shown anddescribed in mg co ending application, Serial No. 111,345, led ay 24,

Apparatus embodying the present invention also resembles apparatus embodying the invention disclosed in my co-pending applications, Serial Nos. 178,991, 178,992, and

178,993, filed March 28, 1927.

Apparatus embodying my invention is par ticularly adapted to be used in connection with the cooling systems of the internal combustion engine associated with automobiles,

or the like, the apparatus being adapted to warn the operator in advance of imminent wastage of the cooling liquid because of overheating and of wastage of the cooling liquid when such wasta 'e is in progress.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus which will employ the cooling liquid to give a distinctive signal when there is an insufficient supply thereof.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind described having improved means for operatively connecting it to an overflow tube of an auto mobile radiator.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction, herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or. corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section taken through a device embodying the invention, the device being shown in connection with the filling tube of an automobile radiator;

Fig. 2 a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary central section taken through the device shown in Fig. 1, but

showing the parts arranged in a different manner .Fig. 4 is an elevation of a device which embodies another form of the invention, the improved device being shown in connection as with the filling tube of an automobile radi ator Serial No. 186,547.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4; and r Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring for the present to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a device embodying a preferred form of the invention, the device being shown mounted upon the filling tube of a radiator which is of the type commonly employed in automobiles, or the like. Only a fragmentary portion of the radiator is shown as the invention does not relate to the construction thereof. The radiator is identified by the reference character 10 and the filling tube is shown at 1.2. In accordance with the usual construction, the radiator 10 is provided with an overflow tube 14 and the upper end of the filling tube 12 is normally closed by a cap 15 which is screw-threaded upon the filling tube.

Formed in the cap 15 is a substantially central aperture 22 which is enlarged at its lower end as indicated at 23 to provide a shoulder 24 against which a packing ring 25 seats. Projecting through the aperture 22 is a dome or hollow member 27 which is preferably formed from glass or other transparent material, the member 27 being open at its lower end and being provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 29 arranged to be positioned between the packing ring 25 and a packing ring 30.

Positioned within the dome or glass member 27 is a tubular member 32 which at its lower end is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 34 which preferably fits snugly in the enlarged portion 23 of the central aperture 22. A washer 35 is preferably inserted between the packing ring 30 and the annular flange 34. Screw-threaded into thecap 15 is a ring 37 which may be manipu lated to clamp the annular flange 34, the washer 35, the packing ring 30, the flange 29 and the packing ring 25 in the cap 15, the ring 37 being adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 34 for this purpose.

It will be noted that the lower end of the tubular member 32 flares outwardly to provide the annular flange 34 and that the flared portion is provided with apertures 39 through which fluid may pass up into the glass'member or dome 37 to be discharged through the tubular member 32 and a tube 40 into the overflow tube 14 which preferably has its lower end in communication with the atmosphere. As shown, the lower end of the tube 40 is preferably flared as at 42 so that it lar men" 1 32, the outer diameter of the ball and l inner diameter oi the cylindrical portion being substantially equal. The tubular member preferably constructed intermediate its upperyen-d and the cylindrical por ion 48-and is prcoferably provided with a; .itBl'lOl' ibstantially spherical surfacebO which couio-rn'iswith the outer surface of the ball 4'1 Abe e the surfac 50, the tubular men'iber pr .bly shaped to provide an outwardly exte mg annular lip 52 which has a function hereinafter described. The tube 40 is 1):. ably provided with an aperture or vent 53 1n its wall intermediate its ends to prevent the contents of the cooling system to be siphoned therefrom through the overflow tube 14. It desired. a packing ring 54 may be inserted between the cap 15 andthe upper edge of the filling tube 12.

It is readily understood that it the supply of cooling liquid in the cooling system is to be replenished, the cap 15, the glass member 27, the tubular member 32 and the packing ring 37 may be removed as a unit from the filling tube 12. The tube 40 will remain positioned upon the upper end of the overflow tube 14. After the supply of cooling liquid has been replenished, the cap 15 to gether with the parts carried thereby may be screw-threadedagain upon the filling neck or tube 12, the construction being such that the tube 40 will again engage the sulstantially' spherical surface provided in the tubular member 32. Obviously, the ball 47 cooperates with the tub ular member 32 to form a ball and socket connection therebetween.

he operation of the above described indicating device is substantially as follows: Assuming that there is a plentiful. supply of cooling liquid in the cooling system and that the automobile is in operation, there will be substan filly no active indication of any kind in the glass member 27 as long the temperature of the cooling fluid does not approach its boiling point. However, it for any reason, the temperature of the cooling fluid approaches its boiling point, this fact will be indicated in the glass member 27 by a solid column oi water which will rise and fall irregularly and at times disappear from the glass. It the cooling liquid continues to boil a relatively high pressure will be developed will churn violently as it passes into the tube 40. -Of course, it is readily understood that if the condition which creates the relatively high ten'iperalure in the cooling liquid iscorrected, the cooling liquid will not waste through the glass member 2'? and it will again become clear. 5

The above described signals on inthe glass member 27 resemble the signals given in the corresponding member of the device shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 111,345, tiled May 24, 1925, but the duration of the fluctuating column of liquid in the glass dome is somew rat shorter. And when there is insufficient cooling liquid inthe system to cause a violently churning mil the glass member 27, the annular lip 52 will cause the vapor to strike the inner surface. of the glass mei'nber in such manner that a portion thereol will condense and form a well defined ring of water upon the interior of the glass member. If the cooling liquid continucs to waste, the ring will move downward upon the interior surface of the glass member and finally disappear altogether. ring, of course, indicates to the driver of the automobile that there is a dangerously depleted supply of cooling liquid in the cooling system.

The above described signals given in the glass member 27 indicate tour diliercnt stages through which the cooling liquid passes when its temperature is ra The first stage: From atmospheric tem-' perature to normal operating temperature. During this stage, no active signal is given in the glass member 27.

The second stage: Fromnormal operating temperature to simn'iering temperature which precedes violent boiling. An unbroken column of liquid then rises and falls in the glass member 27.

The third stage: from sinuneri perature creating comparatively sl'gnt pressure to violent boiling which causes a wastage of cooling liquid because of the comparatively high pressure produced in the radiator. The glass member 27 then becomes completely filled with an unbroken column of liquid flowing therethrough and wasting through the overflow tube 14.

The fourth stage From active boiling and wasting of a still adequate supply of cooling ure of liquid and vapor to pass through ill) lllll liquid to a comparatively superheated and wasting of a substantially overheated liquid. During this stage the water ring appears on the interior surface of the glass member 27 and warns the driver that the supply of. cooling liquid must be replenished if the engine is to be protected against serious injury.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a fragmentary section through the device which is also shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but in Fig. 8, I have shown the ball 47 so positioned that it does not engage the spherical surface 50 provided upon the tubular member 32. Instead, the ball 47 engages the inner cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion 48 formed in the tubular member 32. Obviously, the ball 47 and the tubular member 32 cooperate toform a ball and socket connection therebetween and the device. functions in substantially the same manner as it does when it is ar anged as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, I have shown an indicating device which embodies another form of the invent-ion and is designated generally by the reference characters 60. The improved indicating device 60 is mounted upon the filling tube of an automobile radiator 62, or the equivalent, and preferably comprises an annular member 64 screw-threaded upon the fillingtube 61. Any suitable means may be provided for prevent ing unauthorized removal of the indicating device 60 from the filling tube 61. Thus, I have shown a set screw 66 screw-threaded through the annular member 64 so that it engages the filling tube 61, the set screw 66 being provided with an annular groove 67 underneath its head so that the head may be removed from the shank. Obviously, when this is done, the set screw can not readily be removed from the annular member.

At its upper end, the annular member 64 is preferably provided with a frustro-conical surface 68 upon which a collar 69 is seated, the collar 69 being provided with a frustroconical surface 70 which conforms to the frustro-conica-l surface 68. In this instance, an annular groove 72 is provided in the frustro-conieal surface 70 to hold a packin ring 7 3. This construction prevents waste of cooling fluid through the joint between the collar 69 and the annular member 64.

Projecting upwardly from the collar 69 is a glass dome or hollow member 75 which resembles the aforementioned glass dome or hollow member 27. Projecting up into the hollow member 75 is a. tubular member 76 which, at its lower end is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 77 screwthreaded into the collar 69, the arrangement being such that the flange 77 secures the hollow member 75 to the collar 69. As shown, I preferably provide packing 78 between the hollow member 75 and the collar69 and the flange 77. A plurality of apertures 80 formed in the annular flange 77 permit cooling fluid to flow upward from the radiator 62 into the hollow member 7 5 from which it is discharged through the tubular member 76.

It will be noted that the upper end of the tubular member 76 is substantially identical in construction with the upper end of the aforementioned tubular member 32, the tubular member 76 being preferably constricted adjacent its upper end to provide a socket 82 in which a ball-shaped end 84 provided upon a tube 85 may be journaled. The tube 85 is is preferably shaped to provide an outwardly extending annular lip 91 which functions substantially in the same manner as the aforementioned lip 52 shown in Fig. 1. The collar 69 in which the hollow member 75 is mounted is pivoted by a pin 94 to the annular member 64 so that the hollow member 75,

the tubular member 76 and the collar 69 may be angularly displaced as a unit around the pin 94 to open the upper end of the filling tube 61. This construction permits the supply of cooling fluid in the radiator 62 to be replenished atany time. A lever 97 pivoted by a pin 98 to the collar 69 is engageable with a lug 100 preferably formed integral with the annular member 64. When the lever 97 is in the posit-ion wherein it shown in Fig. 4, it looks the collar 69 against dis placement around the pin but it is readily understood that the lever 97 may be swung out of engagement with the lug so that the collar 69,.the hollow member 75 and the tubular member 76 may be a-ngularly displaced as a unit in the manner above described.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, is substantially identical to the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without de parting from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood. as limiting myself to the exact form, construction,

arrangement and combination of parts here in shown and described, or uses mentioned. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An indicating device of the kind described comprising an apertured closure member tor the filling opening of an automobile radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a hollow member in which the presence of vapor or liquid may be observed,said hollow member being carried by said closure member and being positioned thereabove to receive vapor and liquid from said radiator through d aperture in said closure memher, a tubular member carried by said closure member having an aperture for the passsage of fluid from said closure member to said hollow meml and a tube adapted to be pos' mod upon :said overflow pipe and arranged to form a ball and socket joint with said tubula ."member, said tube being adapted to disehargzje vapor and liquid from said hollow member into said overflow pipe.

2 inn indicating device of the kind described. comprising an apertured closure member for the filling opening of an automobile radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a substantially transoarent hollow member mounted on said closure member and arranged to communicate with the interior of said radiator, a tubular member carried by said closure member and arranged to pro-- ject up into said hollow member, said tubular member being provided with apertures whereby vapor and liquid may pass from said radiator up into said hollow member, and a tube extending from said tubular member to said overflow pipe.

3. An indicating device of the kind described comprising an apertured closure member for the filling opening of an automobile radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a substantially transparent hollow member mounted on said closure member and arranged to communicate with the interior oi? said radiator, a tubular member carried by said closure member and arranged to project up into said hollow member, said tubular member being provided with apertures whereby vapor and liquid may pass up into said hollow member from said radiator and said tubular member being provided with an outwardly extending annular lip adapted to direct the vapor and liquid against the innor surfaces of said hollow member, and means operatively connecting thetubular in niber to said overflow pipe whereby vapor liquid may be discharged. from said hol- -.e iber into said overflow pipe.

device of the kind de- (fililpl'ltiulg an apertiiired closure for the filling opening of an auto- 1 .tor provided with an overflow pipe, a substantially transparent hollow member mounted on said closure member and anged to communicate with the interior of said radiator, a tubular member carried i said closure member and arranged to communicate with said hollow member, said tubular member being provided with apertures whereby vapor and liquid may pass up e rad.

into said hollow member from said radiator and said tubular member being provided with an outwardly extending annular lip adapted to direct vapor and liquid against the inner surface of said hollow member, and means including means forming a ball and socket joint for operatively connecting the tubular'member to said overflow pipe whereby vapor and liquid may be discharged from said hollow member into said overflow pipe.

5. An indicating device of the kind described comprising an apertured closure member for the filling opening of an automobile radiator provided with an overflow pipe, a substantially transparent hollow member mounted on said closure member, a tubular member carried by said closure member, said tubular member being arranged to communicate with said hollow member and being provided with apertures whereby vapor and liquid may flow from said radiator into said hollow member, and a tube formi a ball and socket joint with said tubular member for operatively connecting it with overflow pipe so that the vapor and liquid may be discharged from said hollow member into said overflow pipe.

6. An indicating device of the kind described comprising an apertured one-piece closure member adapted to be screw-threaded upon the filling pipe of an automobile radiator which is provided with an overflow pipe, a hollow member secured directly to said closure member and positioned thereabove to receive vapor and liquid from said radiator, said hollow member being so constructed that an observer will note the presence of vapor or liquid therein, a tubular member carried by said closure member an d communicating with the interior of said hollow member", and means carried by said overflow pipe and arranged to form a ball and socket joint with said tubular member where- .i said hollow member into said overflow pipe.

7. An indicating device of the kind de' scribed adapted to be mounted at the filling opening of an automobile radiator havin an overflow pipe, said device comprising an annular member secured to said radiator at said filling opening, a collar pivoted to said annular member, a substantially transparent hollow member secured to said collar and arranged to communicate with the interior of said radiator through said filling opening, and a tubular member arranged to project into said hollow member, said tubular member having an aperture for the discharge of fluid into said overflow pipe and having an aperture for the passage of fluid from said hollow member.

8. An indicating device of the kind described comprising an apertured closure member for the filling opening of an automobile radiator provided with an overflow b vapor and liquid may be discharged from pipe, a substantially transparent hollow member mounted on said closure member and arranged to communicate with the interior of said radiator, a tubularmember carried by through its wall whereby vapor and liquidmay pass from said radiator up into saidhollow member, and means forming a passage whereby said first-mentioned passage communicates with said overflow pipe to discharge vapor and liquid from said hollow member into said overflow pipe.

9. An indicating device of the kind described adapted to be mounted at the filling opening of an automobile radiator having'an overflow pipe, said device comprising an annular member secured to said radiator at the filling opening thereof, a collar pivoted to said annular member, a substantially transparent hollow member secured to said collar and arranged to communicate with the interior of said radiator through said filling opening, and a tubular member arranged to project into said hollow member, said tubular member being apertured to discharge fluid into said overflow pipe.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN W. ANDERSON. 

